A/N: Here we are again, with the time between year 1 and year 2. We will get to see how Hermione adjusts to her new holiday activities. I am not sure where this all will lead us to. I could introduce some F/F BDSM smut in the future or just let it stay and you can imagine what could happen. Would love to hear your opinion as my readers about that.
Family Wing, french Vampire Court
Harry was sitting in a chair waiting in Hermione's room while the girl in question was changing into her new uniform. Coming out of the Bathroom was a Hermione. Blushing she looked at Harry. Wearing a bleach wide knee length skirt with a white dress over it. The arms part is ruffled a bit while a black blazer is but over that gave her quite the curves. She wore 2.5-inch high heels with knee-length white socks. Her wand sticking in the red ribbon that was bound with a bow in the back. "How do I look?" she was asking with a weaker voice.
Harry looked at her with a small smile wearing his butler attire.
"I think it fits you very well, showing a bit more of your developing body. I mean she gave you the modest version and not the shorter one Lillith wears. I would count that as a win."
Hermione snorted a bit. "You know. First I wanted to be angry with you for all that you put me through put after my first audience with her majesty I would like to thank you. So. Thank you." She smiled even when it looked a bit awkward. "I mean, she will give me some lessons if I prove myself. Can you imagine learning from someone with this much experience? Oh. wait. you do. Sorry." She blushed a bit more.
Something that was noticeable was her bossy attitude had got weaker even after her first day. Looking into her eyes Harry had no problems seeing what happened as she was welcomed into the household.
Flashback
"Welcome Hermione, I hope your Portkey travel was pleasant." The melodious voice of the Vampire Queen of France was shocking the young witch, that and the picture of seductive elegance she was projecting. She tried herself at a small curtsy, that was missing some grace.
"Yes, your Majesty. Thank you for providing me with the reusable key to stay with my parents over the holidays." She answered the queen with a somewhat solid voice that showed her insecurity to the experienced vampire.
"We will have to improve your curtsy, my dear. Lilith. You will show her the ropes. After that, she will be your assistant for the time being. Be it waiting on myself or other nobles" As it was a custom Lilith did not raise her voice she gave a curt nod and a graceful curtsy speaking no word while doing it she just looked at Hermione with a piercing gaze.
"If you prove yourself as a good temporary addition to my household Hermione, we will look into furthering your education. Maybe you can ask your owner if he is open to giving you his introductory notes." Witnessing Hermione's face fall at the mention of being "owned", the queen looked her deep in the eyes sighing as she breached through her non-existent defenses and smirking shortly after. "Aww. You don't have to be ashamed of that my sweet. Normally, some living beings are drawn to stronger ones to look for guidance. At your age, it is natural to be curious about that. So. In the future don't try to lie to me. We both know that you love being told what to do do you not?" She asked with a smirk on her face. Hermione on the other side was flabbergasted, how was this person able to tell one of her deepest secrets?
Flashback end
Harry stopped looking into that memory, absorbing the image and the information of her caught Hermione, her bossy attitude just made so much more sense now. The insecurities and everything played into the same big part of her, and she didn't know how to deal with those feelings. Looking at the young with he wanted to try something. Pointing at his side as he sat on her bed. "Sit with me, Hermione." Giving his voice some authoritative presence thanks to his draconic side and magic, he was not surprised to see her blush deepen as she seemed to hold back a curtsy and sat beside him after making sure her skirts were out of the way. "So how are you holding up? Any Questions?"
Hermione looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Well, Err. You know. Her Majesty mentioned notes you would have." Harry smiled. Sure. Hermione would go for the notes but Harry wanted to play with her a bit.
"She did? What exactly had she said please be honest with me, it's just us two in here you know." Smiling but egging her on a bit he waited if she would come out with the information on her own. Giving her a little push with his magic to be trusting.
"Well erm," she stuttered for a moment blushing and looking at her hands that she folded in her lap, "She mentioned that my owner would maybe open to give me his notes"
"First of all look at me, Hermione." Getting her to look into his eyes easily. "You have a problem with being owned, haven't you?" Getting a small nod from her he continued. "Those laws are ancient but they are protecting you in the end. Do you not want to be protected by someone like me?" Her blush was getting tomato red now as she slowly looked at him with a small nod. Harry took her face in his hands gently. "So if you want my notes, tell me who owns you, Hermione."
She was gulping slowly and her voice losing much of her usual certainty "You do as long as my contract binds me." Harry was smiling.
"Good Girl." Hermione was sighing for a moment before Harry looked at her again. "I am happy that you adjust so fast Hermione."
The young witch looked at her former classmate with a kind of questioning expression. "Thank you, her Majesty made it very clear that she won't accept that I lie to myself." At that moment Harry noticed her wiggling her behind a bit.
"Tell me girl what did she do yesterday after catching you lying?" Giving her a soft push with his magic again he hoped he would not have to deep dive again with Legilimency, it just not felt right.
Hermione wanted to look away as her voice was trailing a bit. "She used her wandless magic to spank me. She. She wanted me to remember that I am not allowed to lie to either her, Lilith, or you regarding myself. She said that if I can't be honest with those people who have to look after my work I could not be trusted to be a big girl"
"A big girl you say" Harry smiled. He would have to raise that topic with the queen at some point. Reigning in her bossy attitude okay but the rest should be coming from Hermione. "Listen to me, Hermione. I will collect those notes for you okay? We have to do something so that you do not shrink down to a mouse-like witch after something like that. First and foremost you will go through the notes. Especially those about Occlumency. You may be a maid but outside of that, you are a member of house potter now. For the time I may own you, at the same time, there will be times when I will need to be confronted with constructive criticism. Can you do that Mione? Can you be a good big girl and a good servant at the same time?"
Hermione struggled with her emotions. Somehow how Harry asked and how he dealt with her was filling her with warmth. It felt like she could trust him with everything even if he could push her down by those archaic laws like a slave. For some reason, even that picture led to a reaction of her body. She would have to read books about that. "I think so." She answered finally with a much stronger look than at the beginning.
Harry grinned brightly. "Good. Now some ground rules. As long as we are here we are equal. When you come to my room we will train your reactions for the wizarding world so you have to curtsy and should also call me Lord Potter only. If we are in casual wear and just doing normal things it's Harry. Clear?"
Hermione could only nod before she stood up and did a small curtsy. This time without frowning. "I think I can agree to that for the time being Lord Potter." Smiling she looked at her watch frowning shortly after. "But I would need to cut our meeting short now I have a session with Lilith about my Maid duties. Even if I think I know how to do the laundry"
Harry had to let out a short laugh. "she will show you how the queen wants it done and if you not already knew to do it with magic will show you the charm to do so." Standing up he gets to the door before giving her a short wave. "Stay out of trouble Mione"
One day later Hermione got the notes from Harry. She still got daily lessons on proper movement as Lilith liked to call them. After learning that Harry knew how to curtsy in the same attire as she usually would wear because Lilith and him had some kind of rivalry she was more than motivated to master the right ways, to walk, bend curtsy, and so on. Thanks to the agreement with the queen Harry had only half the shifts he usually had. Those Shifts were covered by Hermione now, who would never openly admit but she liked it to have this kind of structured day. She would heat lunch in France and get back to her parents for dinner. She got her "invitation" to Harry's Birthday even if should have to be in her maid attire for the whole day she was looking forward to it. She never knew that magical heels could be so comfy.
31st of July 1995, Tonks Residence
It was very festive in the Tonks' residence. The Guest had all arrived minutes before with Ophelia and Lilith the pair to be fashionably late. Harry had not invented everyone because he had gone to Neville's party yesterday. So he just invited some he knew would either not be able to go to Nevilles or just not be invited. Maybe next year they could hold a joint one? Today it would be the Tonks family, Sayuri, and her parents, the two Patil sisters without parents, and Hermione who would help Andromeda. Harry was looking in his mirror adjusting his dress shirt before he joined them in the garden, where a magical tent would be the place to party the day away.
In the tent was a big open field with tents on the side was a big open Kitchen where Andromeda and Hermione were at work supported by a house elf. Harry joined the others at the big round table. "Hey Everyone!"
Looking up he was met with friendly faces. Shortly after Hermione joined, doing a short curtsy to Ophelia and placing a wine glass in front of her getting a grateful smile. Before Harry would open his gifts they had a big feast. They told jokes and it all felt right somehow even Harry and Lilith had stopped bantering for the day. At that moment Harry talked with Sayuris's father about the Eastern ways of utilizing magic. It was a bit over Harry's head for the moment but Sayuri chuckled and looked smug only to tell him, Harry would have time to learn that. The Girls joked about Harry's bill, reminding him about the fact he should make some friends of his gender balance the girls out a bit. The Party progressed well for long. Hermione showed everyone her new skills as a maid and Ophelia ended her shift by placing her on her lap to feed on her for a second was a picture nobody would forget so quickly, the blush of the young witch included.
The time for the presents came. The Tonk's had taken Harry shopping just two days before as a birthday present paired together with a visit to the cinema and amusement park. After some unspoken communication, the Patils started. Namely Padma.
"Okay, here we go. I hope the divination skills of our great aunt are still on top. She had given us a book that we can't read but she told us, that you could use it and we should not ask what it is so.."
Parvati took the package out of her bag and gave it to Padma who forwarded it to Harry.
Manually unwrapping the paper, he inspected the book he hold in his hand. He looked at the book questioningly for a second before he flew through and understood why the Patil sisters. The title of the book was a dead giveaway. The path of Asclepius, a parsel guide to healing magic. His look goes to the two girls. "Please give your great aunt my thanks. That book will come in handy." He said thankfully.
Next up were Sayuri and her parents. Mr. Lee summoned a package that again looked like books. "Well Mister Potter, my daughter said you had shown interest in the eastern ways of doing magic. I hope you will find our gift helping you there. I made sure that all translated versions are up to the standard, so you should be safe to learn."
Harry took the package and gave a short courteous bow. "I think I will not be disappointed." Without much further ado, he opened the present only to find three books in it. Introduction to Fuinjutsu, how to channel magic into paper. The second one was a bit more on the smaller side. Hand seals and you, how to channel magic. Theory of your inner magic. He opened the last one to see pictures of the human body with many points around it that looked like some kind of system.
He looked up at them. "Thank you very much, that all looks very interesting." He said with enthusiasm. He got a hug from Sayuri and her mother before the next pair would be the Queen and her granddaughter.
"Well, my honorary nephew, fourteen years. Time for you to enjoy more of the books I gave to you. The Locks on some of the books should be lifted but for now, let's come to your last two presents of today. First, something that I think will be of use to you in the next years." She gave Lilith a nod and she unfolded something it looked like a platinum chain bracelet.
"Is that what I think that it is?" Harry asked with nearly overflowing enthusiasm. As the Queen nodded he whooped with joy. What he could not say because of his friends listening at the moment was, that this bracelet was more than it looked like. Each blood mage needed a ritual knife to do the cuts, but in Britain, he could not walk around with a ritualistic knife. That Bracelet was something the vampires came up with, it was a marvelous piece of magic. Constructed with ritualistic magic and alchemy, the silver of the knife was nearly permanently transfigured into a platinum bracelet. The blood mage would then need to use his blood to bind the bracelet to himself. After that, only the bounded could use the incantation to switch the bracelet back into the knife form.
"I thought it a good present, I mean you could say you are part of the family are you not" The Queen smiled brightly and pushed the sleeve of her dress a bit up, showing the same bracelet but this was with some charms. Harry thanked her again and eyed the charms of her for a short moment. From his lessons, he could only imagine that those charms would be linked to blood rituals the queen did to improve her knife or herself. He would have to ask her the next time possible. A short cough brought him out of his musings to look at the queen again and her granddaughter. Lilith had somehow a broom-like package in her hands.
"We were able to redistribute some funds to help your friends with the production costs. You could say it is your secondary present."
Lilith took her time and looked at him. "You still owe me for the one lost bet Harry." She looked at Hermione who still sat on the lap of the Queen. She got a little devilish smile, the one that got Harry goosebumps. "How about you and Hermione serve at my next party? When I think about it It, it would be better for only you to serve so we girls can enjoy some fun."
Harry sighed before he gave her a short nod only to silence her and get his new broom. The Broom would help Hogwarts big time if everything would fall in place. Lilith would use the time to humiliate him a bit but they had put a wager on and he lost so he would stay true to his word. "You are a menace, Lith."
"Yeah, but you love me either way. I know." She gave him the package with a wide grin. Harry unwrapped it with vigor. After vanishing the wrapping paper he looked at the final version of the Emberbolt. The golden letters on the dark red mahogany wood paired with the straight-aligned wooden bristles looked perfect. Without much thinking he mounted the broom pushing himself off the ground and flying into the air. It was like the broom reacted to his thoughts. The acceleration was much faster than on the Nimbus. Bolt Brooms would bring out another model of this series. With more acceleration and more top speed but limited to professionals. Thanks to Harry's investment instead of one broom they could start with this one to reintroduce themselves to the market so to speak. Next year, the professional version would be released, tipping the complete market in their favor. If that plan would work Harry had his investments back. Looking down at his birthday guests he let himself fall into a dive by tipping the handle down. The air crushing into his face he smiled. Letting the ground get nearer to him faster and faster till he pulled out of the dive in the last possible second. Yes, this broom would be good for Hogwarts. He wanted to turn to his guests only to get hit by a stinging hex thanks to Andromeda.
"Harry James Potter, be grateful that today is your birthday tomorrow you are grounded!" she scolded. Harry looked at Andromeda with an apologetic expression before they returned for desserts. The young wizard had to say he enjoyed his first real birthday party. Getting presents was something. But getting presents from people because they liked someone was even better.
Mid of August 1995, Potter Island
Finally, the day was here. Harry was standing at the Portkey Arrival Point with Lordey, his head elf holding onto a flying carpet. They waited for the arrival of one Newt Scamander. He had reached out to Harry one week ago to arrange the visit and luckily Harry could get some free time from his duties in France. A plopping sound and some dust later Newt Scamder was dusting himself with his wand looking at Harry with a smile.
"Hey, Harry." He looked around at the forest before him and then at the carpet.
"Are we traveling with the carpet, great I did not know that I would find that somewhere in Great Britain." He sounded very excited.
Harry smiled and gave his Elf a nod who prepared the carpet and popped away.
"Well, I know you like animals but the Acromantuala are in a breeding cycle at the moment so they should be left alone. But we can fly over the different areas. So If you could take your seat beside me it would be much appreciated" He said while sitting down on the hovering carpet. He was quickly joined by Newt and his trusty suitcase. Shortly after they were off. Harry pointed out the different areas and animals inhabiting them. It did not take long for the two on their carpet to be joined by Erebos and Orinda. The two dragons flanked them and Newt was enjoying himself as Harry talked with them both. Erebos by speaking normally and Orinda by speaking Parseltongue. Translating Newt's questions they did not take long to reach the area to land. "Thank you for traveling with Potter Airlines I hope you had a pleasant flight" Harry joked while they got off from the carpet.
"Have to say your family did know their craft to build up such an animal sanctuary. I am impressed. But Harry, really I am curious why you wanted to have that permanent expansion charms." Newt asked with a curious expression while they made their way inside.
"Well, it is like this do you ever wonder how some magical creatures came into existence in the first place? I mean let us look at magical snakes. Ashwinders, Basilisks they are all made by humans are they not?" Newt gave the wizard a nod but did not give his thoughts away so Harry continued. "After some exploring, I think, I could maybe even bring back the Red-Welsh Dragon."
"Wait a moment you could bring back an extinct species? I mean okay your familiar is already thought extinct and maybe one of the last of his kind. How do you want to accomplish that?"
"For the moment I can not talk about that, just that magic is needed after a Regular Welsh Green would provide me a freely given egg. The process always would either have high magical power or a very strongly related specimen. But before I can research that further I would need a place for the Dragons or even the greater snakes. Even with two Dragons, the area is a bit crowded, and I would need more livestock for my project and that would need new areas. So, you see my problem I need to expand this place and your charms are the best possibility. This island is already very secure and the wards prevent intruders and thieves from destroying what I try to do. If everything works out the magic of the colonies I try to build up should deliver enough magic to expand with each new generation."
Newt looked at the passionate wizard as he ended his impromptu speech. He collected his thoughts for a moment. "I can understand why you want to not speak about something like that. If, and that is a very big if, you have a way to breed extinct races back or even stimulate birth rates you could make some institutions very angry."
Harry nodded solemnly. "That is why nothing can go outside the entry to that world would have to be closely regulated. We are mere shepherds of mother magics children most of the time. Most of us did a bad job shepherding because greed and other base motives led to the extinction of some races in the first place."
Newt slowly shook his head before he started grinning. "I would not be me if I would not try to help you. Count me in Harry. Let's talk about plans and logistics. You may have to house me and my wife for a limited amount of time. If I am away too long she will start hunting me with a frying pan. After that, I may have a project to add to your list on the quest to reintroduce some breeds." He looked at Harry with a mischievous glint in his eyes while scratching the back of his neck. After that, both had a delayed good laugh at Newt's expense before both of them retreated to the mansion for a short snack and more scheming.
It took both of them some time before they were back outside and Newt looked at Harry with a curious expression. "Now, let me see if I can find your present. You may want to follow me though. I think it will be easier this way."
Harry followed the steps into the expanded suitcase. "You know that I am now really curious about what you have for me right?" Newt just chuckled and navigated them to a more humid-looking forest. The zoologist whistled in a certain tune and Harry could hear the hisses shortly before he could understand what was said.
"The human is back, I hope he got me something good to eat. But I smell another human."
Harry had not much time before he looked at a snake that had dark black scales with a jungle-green-like blur and purple iridescence. Besides the intelligent-looking eyes, the snake had feathers on his head. Harry had no trouble switching into the snake tongue.
"Greetings, feathered Friend, If you tell me what you need or prefer to eat I can arrange for something."
"A human who speaks the tongue? But your pronunciation is different than other speakers I met in my life."
"That may be the case because I speak it the way the Dragons would do"
Newt smirked a bit as the snake and Harry hissed at each other and looked to make good conversation. He took out his notebook to make some sketches while they seem to hit off on a good note. Every time a magical beast would not kill someone new it was on a god note in his books.
"I noticed hatchling. You taste different than the other humans. If I did not know it better you have the taste of fire around you."
"Yes, that could be because I bonded with a Dragon, I am Harry of House Potter, you currently may reside in a magical space but as far as I understand my friend you may find your new home on my lands."
"You may call me Nagulia. It would be good to again roam a bit more freely. After the other human took me away from those poachers he tried to talk to me. Alas, he can't understand the noble tongue of us serpents."
"You can understand the human language?"
"One speaker once used a ritual to enable me to understand his apprentice. Somehow for me, all humans sound the same but I can understand them. As far as I know, you humans had the stupidity to create more than one language."
Harry had to chuckle about that and for the sake of including Newt in the conversation he switched back to Englisch.
"Well Nagulia, you are not wrong with us humans and our different languages. I am sorry but it would be kind of rude to not include the person that rescued you. I will translate for you if you want to?"
The snake nodded shortly before it hissed again and Harry looked at Newt.
"She would like to thank you for rescuing her from those poachers. For future reference, she likes those funny-looking frogs the most. Bright colors black markings. They are good for her venom production and the best for her digestive systems."
Newt nodded and furiously tried to write everything down. Sure, the ICW and he knew that those species had venom but that was new and exact information. The snake hissed again and Harry continued to translate.
"She would welcome it to get out in the wilds again, she would like to expand her size for a bit. Normally she" Harry stumbled over his next words. "Normally she is around sixty feet long. Her kind usually stops growing after their first century. Using the smaller form conserves her energy and she has to eat less. But from time to time they enjoy a bit of freedom."
Newt had summoned a frog out of his reserves and let it hover in front of the snake before it devoured it without any problems. Her attack on the frog was so fast they both nearly missed it. "If she can change her size the theory that they have a relation with the Ocamy is nearly proven." Again he took some notes before he looked at Harry again. "Well, Harry. I hope you can take care of her for me. She is a Melanistic Quetzalcoatl, the rare version of the Quetzalcoatl. I may have forgotten to fill out any paperwork as I got her out of the hands of those poachers."
Harry quickly nodded. "Of course but I may need those charms earlier than we thought."
Newt gave him a short nod.
"I will help you set something up for her. Temporary maybe after that we can look into your idea. Do you think your Dragon can give enough for the wards and all?"
Harry slowly nodded. "Maybe not he alone but I have a way to collect some of it to save it for the creation."
After that both, Harry invited his new friend to ride him out of the case. As the snake touched down outside she quickly expanded into her majestic size. Something that quickly had the two dragons inhabiting the island circling above them. Harry introduced them to each other and Nagulia took off with the Dragons, she may like Frogs but Spider sounded good to her too. Newt and Harry could only look from the ground as the three flew away to the forest possibly to snack on some Acromantula. Not that Harry would mind. He quickly learned that even if Acromantula were much more intelligent than most spiders. They were still cruel hunters. Thanks to the wards of the island that was okay but he had nothing against it, that the nest would sometimes be hit by the Dragons or now his new great snake.
20th of August 1995, Septime Restaurant, Paris
Harry was straightening out his uniform a last time. Looking at his Mirror Image he sighed. Today he would have to serve on Lilith's tea party. Something he had dreaded for the longest time. His uniform was that of a high-class butler but she had demanded for him to wear two-and-a-half-inch heels under a notice me not charm. He knew not only his pride but his feet would also hurt over the evening. Lilith had rented out a private room in a fine dining restaurant in Paris. Thanks to her family's connection she was able to secure that she could bring her service personnel. So Harry would have to serve four girls. Lilith and Hermione and the two Delacour Girls Liltih had invited because they would be a good start to connect Hermione with her future classmates. It would be not so bad if he could wear his disguise but that little demon had ensured the Delacour's secrecy with binding magical contracts somehow so this failsafe could not be applied. Pulling up his occlumency shields to put on a smiling face he made his way to the kitchen.
Shortly after he opened the door two the room with a plate in one hand while on the other was a towel he walked to the table and with his best French he began to distribute the glasses of sparkling champagne. Luckily magical had no problem with the alcohol even in the younger ages. "Good Evening madames, a little greeting out of the kitchen." Each of the Girls had put on a gown. While both Delacours had gone for scandalous red, Lilith as usual stayed true to her black while Hermione was dressed in something periwinkle. While the dresses of the two Veela and the Vampire did not hide anything of their forms, even underlined some of their curves, to be honest. Hermione's dress was much more conservative, even tame in comparison, not that she looked bad, no, but you could see that she had not the same confidence in her clothing as the three others.
"Ahh. Thank you, Harry. Could you inform the kitchen that we would like to start with the first dish as soon as they can provide it? We are famished." Lilith said that with an enchanting voice. Harry could see her smirk though. She looked like she enjoyed his suffering. What Harry did not know was that she had told all three girls of his shoe requirement. So the Girls could see and hear the heels just fine. After he left Fleur was the first to pick their conversation up again.
"I have to say I could not believe that Harry Potter would be our waiter and he would do so in heels. Have to say that's something I had not imagined in my dreams Lith."
The Vampire chuckled. "Well Fleur, it's like this you can say what you want but he is a man of integrity. He lost the bet he endures the forfeit. Each and every time."
"That is worthy of my respect and his walk is perfect. Not every man could work those shoes like that you know." The older Veela anserwed.
While the three of the girls chatted animatedly Hermione shied away most of the time. It was just unreal. She got the impression that she was completely off. Like she did not belong here. Her insecurities ran circles around here for the whole meal. Luckily the alcohol did something to smooth her nerves while she ate the delicious dishes the kitchen gave Harry for him to distribute. They had just finished their desserts as Fleur focussed on her.
"You know Hermione, you are quiet. I can understand that this" she made an inviting gesture to include the room and their outfits "can be overwhelming and all but even if you are in Service to a house you are someone. As far as I understood your relationship you will even rise out of your servitude when you get older. Luckily I will be your Tutor in Beuxbatons while my sister will be your roommate to help you out of your shell. And first and foremost we both would like to be your friends while you are away from home."
Harry had secluded himself in a corner of the room after he had cleared the table and he did not even need his Legilimency to see that Hermione was having trouble sorting her emotions at the moment. The Brunette who had her hair in a perfect French braid looked at Fleur.
"You mean that?"
The Veelas looked surprised but both of them nodded before this time the younger one answered her. "Yeah, we both do. You know Hermione as Veela we are ostracized even in France. Witches are jealous, and that Harry can even manage to do what he did today without being a blubbering mess worshipping the ground fleur and I stand on is marvelous." Gabriel brushed some of her hair behind her ear. "I will try my best to show you that we Veela are just witches like you. You know I want to be a magical seamstress later I could do something to give you some pointers in style. You hide yourself too much." She giggled at Hermione's blush.
Fleur picked that up while Lilith motioned Harry to join her.
"As I already told you, my Sister will be your Roomie and we will do our best to help you with Beuxbaton's way of doing things starting with your Uniform."
"Do you think your plan works Harry?" Lilith whispered to Harry who bowed down so that she could whisper in his ear.
"She had some flaws but could be an outstanding witch, we just need to break her shell down. That the Delacours were so open to get her under her wing is a godsend if you ask me."
While the two Veela showed Hermione the usual Uniform for females at the academy she quickly noticed the crest on her chest, which had a white frame around it. "Fleur, can you tell me why I have the Potter crest on my robes?"
Fleur looked at her with an exasperated look before she looked at Lilith. "I thought she got her lessons." Lilith shrugged for a moment while Harry stood tall.
"She had big holes we had to fill with a much bigger priority. Maybe give her a crash course" The Vampire Princess explained.
Fleur looked at her like she was joking before she sighed and looked at Hermione. "Beuxbaton, like many magical schools, uses those house crests to warn people who are protected by higher magical houses. It is not the best system but it worked till now. It is not something that would exempt somebody from the rules and other regulations. But it warns the students. The white frame means that you are in Service to House Potter usually it is combined with a collar or necklace." While Hermione looked like she swallowed a lemon Fleur looked at Harry. "It is not safe if she doesn't wear a collar. Some would say she is not following traditions, a rogue servant. You will have to do something against that if you want the system to protect her. I can't be everywhere."
Harry nodded and looked at Hermione. "We will talk about that before we get back to school and find a solution alright?" The brunette nodded shortly after. Before for the first time Harry gave a questioning look at Lilith who sighed and nodded.
"Alright, you did well Harry." The vampire chuckled and waved her hand that transfigured Harry's clothes into a stylish three-piece suit in classic black and white. He looked at his feet and then at her again, another sigh, and the heels changed into fitting dress shoes.
"Thank you." He gave a mocking grin in her direction before he looked at Fleur. "I will get back to you Miss Delacour."
"It's Fleur to friends." The Veela smiled.
"Harry then. As I told you I will contact you after I spoke to Miss Granger in private." The Veela nodded before she looked at Hermione again.
"Hermione, enjoy your new Uniform, it is a bit more designed to let us witches look good. Not the bulky stuff Hogwarts uses."
After some small talk, the Delacours left getting back to their home. As were Hermione, Lilith, and Harry. While Lilith activated her own Portkey Harry used his to get them both out of France and back to her parents. Shortly after Harry got back to Potter Island. Some days passed before the brunette witch and the raven-black-haired wizard would meet again.
Potter Castle, Potter Island 30th of August
They were in Harry's Office. Hermione sitting in a chair before his desk while he was pacing. "You know. I think Fluer spoke some true words about you Hermione, you looked good in that uniform."
The Brunette blushed a bit. "Thanks, Sir" she added hastily.
"Well let's talk about your accessories, shall we? Have to say I am against the collar but a necklace should not be a problem. But your stubbornness could be one. Would you listen to Fleur, As far as I can judge this, you would not." He concluded while Hermione sat there contemplating what to say.
"Ho do I know that she has my best interest in mind, sir? It's permission to speak openly?"
"Granted."
"Harry to be frank I had a somehow shitty childhood. I got bullied in each new school my parents transferred me to. I have a good memory and always strived to be good and follow the rules like I was told. But every time that leads to people disliking me. How do I know that this time will be different."
Harry pondered how he should deal with that. He could understand her to some kind, yeah she was a bossy bitch in their last year but since her days at the court, it looked like she was relaxing a bit more. "Maybe it would help if we would agree on what Fleur could and would be allowed to guide you hmm?"
Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. "You mean like compulsion charms?"
Harry slowly nodded and raised his hand a bit to press her for silence. "Listen, Hermione, I talked to her over the Floo and through letters. She wants to help you be more confident. The first step would be clothes and behavior towards others. You are right in one thing. You should not have to hide where you come from and this is something she can help you with. She told you that Veela are often regarded with dirty looks and all of that. Who could help you to learn and stand above that more than a Veela? Let's be honest with each other you are more relaxed when someone is managing some aspects of your life."
Against that, Hermione had nothing that would hold. Each Argument she could pull up from the depths of her now much more organized mind would just crumble. Harry's eyes witnessed her inner turmoil before the Brunette witch nodded slowly and looked into his eyes.
"I will need three drops of your blood in this bowl," Harry said summoning the stone bowl out of the shelf to his right before he used his new knife to put in seven drops of his. "Lordey, the Necklace please" He spoke into the room for a Necklace made out of silver to appear. It was a fine piece of art with a Griffin piece. The eyes of it were made out of tiny emeralds.
While Hermione put her blood into the bowl. Harry slowly let the silver chain together with the Griffin submerge. Before he used the Connection his blood formed to invoke his magic on it. Before he finished he took out a small vial with a single blonde hair and put that into the bowl.
Thankfully he learned from the Potter Grimoire how to enchant connected family items. If you would do it this way, with blood and magic it was significantly easier than with charms and runes. As he finished his whispered chant the blood and hair had vanished but the Griffin now had a small silver collar on. If you looked close enough it had a blue gleam to it.
Harry looked at Hermione and nodded before he picked the necklace out of the bowl. "One last thing Hermione, I will be the only person to open this necklace, Fleur will be able to compel you to wear something she deems necessary and manage your time to some extent, but you will always be able to reach out to your parents or me. I hope you will enjoy your time in France."
Hermione took the necklace and without much thinking but a deep breath closed the chain around her neck, she could feel the magic taking hold. It was, somehow liberating. She would not mess up her second chance.
A/N: Welcome to the second year. I could provide some scenes out of Hermiones live at Beuxbatons but for the moment I did not plan to do so. If you want put it in your reviews ;)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Can't say when the next one will be up. For communication purposes and further details about it look up the link to my Discord Server in my profile.
